Transfer: HEL airport to HEL-Tallinn ferry

[Isochronous]

I land in HEL around 3.30pm in a few weeks and my plan is to get the ferry to Tallinn the same day. How easy/hard is the airport-ferry transfer?

 

[Foreigner]

I took a bus from HEL to city centre and ferry is a short walk. Cost was euro5 then. If you have lot of luggage you may still like to take bus and then taxi to ferry.

 

[dmitri]

Very easy, I got a cab form our hotel in the city centre, very cheap, we had 2 carry on and 2 suitcases. It's a nice relaxing ferry trip too.

 

[burrco]

If you're looking at the local bus use

Journey Planner

for the timetable/route (Airport to West Harbour)

You can also catch the finnair bus to the city centre and catch the local bus from there or taxi.

 

[thommo9]

Finnair bus from Airport to city then a short walk or jump on a tram to the Harbour. But as above, depends on how much luggage you have if you want to walk/tram or cab.

Can't miss the harbour though, keep walking south and you're there.

 

[leadman]

I found the taxi easier as done it a few times. Far nicer than the flight especially the early morning voyages, although the vodka is a bit too early!!!

 

[dmitri]

although the vodka is a bit too early!!!

It's always 5pm somewhere Leadman

 

[leadman]

True, true so very true.....

But rather a good single malt whisky!

 

[Isochronous]

Should I book the ferry tickets in advance or just buy them when I show up - is it likely to sell out?

 

[leadman]

They are quite large vessels and from memory there are about 4 lines running across the water, so they a quite frequent. Never hurts to book but i dont think they will sold out.

 

[RooFlyer]

I took a bus from HEL to city centre and ferry is a short walk. Cost was euro5 then. If you have lot of luggage you may still like to take bus and then taxi to ferry.

Note that ferries to Tallinn depart from at two separate port areas. The one we caught late last year was in the 'west harbour' area and very much a taxi ride to get there. The other area of course is the 'downtown' port area and walkable if you aren't toting too much luggage.

To the OP. I've caught the ferry twice now and I think you would be unlucky to find a ferry sold out, but booking ahead would be recommended unless you are unsure of dates. Watch out for which port area the ferry leaves from.

Extra tip: there is free Wi fi in Helsinki City area.

 

[Cossie]

As said earlier there are several ferries including the cats from Linda Line (built in Australia), they are the fastest but fill up quickly as a lot of Fins go to Tallinn for shopping, especially Friday to Monday. The other ferries are the more usual 'car' type, much bigger but slower. One leaves from the other side of the harbour to Linda Line and the other from the Western port. There are left luggage lockers in the terminal where the cats leave from.

This thread has some useful info even if it is a few years old. Estonia now uses the Euro, I can also agree with the suggestion to go to Tartu if you have the chance.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ts-and-trip-photos/tallinn-estonia-18745.html

 

[thommo9]

How could I forget the free Angry Birds Wi-Fi everywhere!